511 Private BEPLATE Ernest Herbert

1st Australian Divisional Train 

Ernest was born in Young on 6 April 1894 and Christened in St Johns Church, Young, on 2 July 1894. He went to Cowra Public School for a short time and probably went to school in Young. He was living with an Aunt in Young at the Commercial Hotel when he performed in a concert in the Young Town Hall in May 1908. He was a bugler in the Young Cadets. He worked for Holdsworth McPherson Company in George St., Sydney, as a saddler. 

Ernest enlisted at Randwick on 23August 1914. His stated age was 20 years and 9 months. His next of kin was his Mother Mrs Minnie Beplate, 16 Waratah Avenue, Randwick. Ernest embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A19 SS Afric on 18 October 1914. 

Ernest died of pyrexia on 4 August 1915 on board the Temporary Hospital ship HMT Ionian at Mudros, Greece. He is buried at Mudros East Military Cemetery, plot 2, row C, grave 47, Lemnos, Greece. Details furnished to the War Graves Commission after his death say Ernest was born in Young, the son of Frederick William and Minnie Beplate; and was aged 19 at the time of his death